EVIDENCE NOW FINISHED: REPORT BY MARCH 31

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22820, 15 December 1948, Page 8

EVIDENCE NOW FINISHED: REPORT BY MARCH 31

SHEEP COMMISSION

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 15. The Royal Commission on the sheepfarming industry lias completed the taking of evidence. Working two evenings this week and sitting through the week-end, the final sittings were completed and (lie commission was adjourned to consider the tremendous volume of evidence it has received.

Members will have about 6000 pages of evidence to consider in compiling their report. Tlie commission has adjourned until March 31 to furnish its report to the Government. Now that the sittings are completed, no further evidence or argument will be heard by the commission.

Appointed in August, 1947, the commission assembled for the first time the following month and opened its first sitting in Wellington in November of the same year. From then until Christmas evidence was heard in Wellington from national organisations and State departments.

Visit to Gisborne

In January of this year the commission went to the Gisborne area to examine land conditions, and spent the following four months in the South Island, carefully studying high-country conditions and problems.

Returning to the North Island in July the commission has travelled through back-country areas from North Auckland to the King Country, Wanganui and the Wairarapa. Last week the final cross-examination of permanent heads of several State departments was completed, and final argument heard from the Federated Farmers of New Zealand and the chairmen of the high-country and hillcountry committees of the federation.

The principal problem put to the commission by the Government Is to find a solution to the deterioration of hillcountry farming land, and the associated problems of keeping the land in production and producing enough to give a reasonable living to back-country farmers.

The commission has made a very thorough examination of these conditions, and at the final sittings representatives of Federated Farmers voiced the hope that the commission’s findings may mark the turn of the tide in the receding welfare of these back-country settlers.